CATARACTS

As we age, we all notice many changes taking place in our bodies - but few affect our lifestyles more than the changes that take place with our vision. We all value our sight more than any of our other senses. So it’s no surprise that you want to protect your eyesight. As you go on, you may find that poor vision due to a cataract is interfering with many of your desired activities. Reading, driving and even watching TV may be difficult. You should be concerned, but you shouldn’t be worried.

"Cataracts form as
part of the natural
aging process"

 

Cataracts occur as part of the normal aging process. Studies show that about 50% of all people will have some cataract formation before age 60 and close to 100% will develop them by age 70. Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss in the world -- so you’re not alone.

Cataracts have the potential to severely impair your vision. But the good news is: They can be treated! Advances in modern ophthalmology and improvements in microsurgical techniques have made the treatment of cataracts a highly successful procedure.

The human eye functions in much the same way as a camera. Light passes through the lens of the camera and is focused on the film.

"A cataract is a clouding of the lens in your eye which may cause blurred or hazy vision".

Normal Eye

Your eye also has a lens. But instead of film, the image forms on the retina, which is at the back of the eye. Normally, the lens is a clear transparent structure through which light can freely pass and focus on the retina. A cataract is a clouding of this lens. As a cataract develops, the clouded lens reduces the amount of light that can enter your eye resulting in blurred or foggy vision.

Eye With Cataract

 

There is currently no way to prevent the formation of cataracts and no way to stop their progress once they appear. As mentioned, cataracts are just another part of the natural aging process. However, other factors such as heredity, eye injuries, diabetes and even some medications may contribute to the development of a cataract.

"Visit NutriVision to learn ways which may prevent the formation of a cataract."

Cataracts can develop slowly over a period of years but in some cases they may develop quickly in only a few months. As the cloudiness increases, the vision becomes progressively worse. Cataracts may affect both eyes at a different rate or they may affect only one eye.

Of course, only your eye doctor can tell for sure if you have a cataract — but there are several symptoms that may indicate the presence of a cataract.

An early sign is increasing glare from strong sunlight or bright lights at night. This may become quite bothersome and you may notice halos around different light sources such as car headlights.

Colors that are normally bright and vibrant may appear faded and washed out — especially greens and blues.

And most noticeably, your vision will become blurred and hazy, making it difficult to read small print or perform other tasks.

"There are several symptoms which may indicate that you have a cataract."

Normal Vision

Simulated Cataract

 

Your vision can be restored by a surgical procedure that removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with an artificial lens.

Cataracts can be removed at any stage of their development.

When is the best time to have your cataract removed?

The decision for surgery is best made in consultation with your eye surgeon. With today's modern microsurgical techniques, age or physical condition are seldom obstacles to surgery. Information and help are always available to assist you in making this decision.

"The best way to treat a cataract is to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens."

The timing depends on how much the cataract limits your vision. When your vision becomes impaired enough to interfere with normal activities, such as driving, reading or watching TV, then surgery is advisable.

Advanced surgical techniques and modern lens replacement now make "same day cataract surgery" possible. You can have your cataract removed at our ambulatory surgery center and go home within 2-3 hours or on an outpatient basis at a nearby hospital and go home the same day.

"Choosing to have cataract surgery may be the only way to improve your vision."

You will also be pleased to know that there is no pain with this operation. IV sedative will be administered to insure that you are relaxed and that you don't feel anything during the procedure. Your vital signs will be continuously monitored.

For those who wish to be fully awake during surgery local and topical anesthesia is available.

Your surgery will take place in a fully equipped state-of-the-art operating room. Throughout your operation, an experienced surgical team will assist the doctor and see to your well-being and comfort

As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks involved. But please keep in mind that the chance of any complication occurring is slight. Cataract surgery has been performed on over one million people in this country alone and has one of the highest success rates of any type of surgery.

"Cataract Surgery has one of the highest success rates of any type of surgery."

Prior to your surgery we will ask you to sign a consent form indicating you understand the surgical procedure, the alternatives to surgery and the possible complications of the surgery. This form explains everything in detail. Please read it carefully. And again, please do not hesitate to ask us if any of this information is unclear.

There are different surgical techniques to remove the clouded lens. The decision will be made by your doctor based on his or her evaluation of your individual case.

The most widely used technique is phacoemulsification. Phacoemulsification is a small incision surgical technique. With this method of cataract extraction, a microscopic incision is made in the eye and a tiny ultrasonic probe is used to break up your cataract and gently suction it away.

Phacoemulsification

Another method is called extracapsular cataract extraction. With this method, the cataract lens nucleus is removed in one piece through a slightly larger incision.

Your lens is encased in a clear skin called capsular "bag." In either of these two procedures, this original capsular bag is left intact. It will become a support for an artificial lens implant.

"There are different techniques that can be used to remove your cataract."

Once your cataract lens has been removed, it can be replaced by an artificial lens. During surgery, the cataract lens will most likely be replaced with a tiny, clear plastic lens called an intraocular lens or IOL.

"A tiny clear plastic lens will most likely be used to replace your cataract lens."

The use of IOL has totally eliminated the need for contact lenses or thick, heavy cataract glasses to correct vision after surgery. And best of all you should experience little or no discomfort during or after the procedure.

Assuming that no other vision problems are present, you should enjoy improved vision soon after surgery. However, based on your individual needs, you may require additional corrective lenses. Glasses may be needed to assist you with certain activities such as reading or driving.


The first intraocular lens was used in 1949 in England.

 

In 1949, the first intraocular lens was introduced. Currently, it is the preferred method of lens replacement in 98% of all cataract cases.

"The intraocular lens has a long history of reliability and effectiveness."

The IOLs we use have a long history of reliability and effectiveness. They have undergone many years of careful development to guarantee that each IOL is of the highest clinical quality. Time-tested materials are completely safe and totally compatible with the human eye.

Sophisticated manufacturing processes insure that each IOL is comfortable and non-irritating to delicate eye tissue.

Once in place, the IOL is a permanent replacement for your natural lens. Since it remains in the same position as your natural lens (inside the eye), it requires no special care or handling. It allows for the most natural vision possible after cataract removal, it provides excellent peripheral vision and it has almost no effect on image size. In fact, the only way you know it’s there is that you can see again.

"Once in place, the IOL requires no special care or handling."

The actual surgery is a short procedure and before you know it you’ll be resting in the recovery room. You will receive discharge instructions at this time.

There are very few restrictions on your activities. Your eye will take three to six weeks to heal so you will need to continue to follow post surgery instructions. One of the advantages of modern microsurgical techniques is that you can resume normal activities shortly after surgery.

"You can resume normal activities soon after surgery."

In most cases common sense will dictate your level of activity, but there are a few points you should pay particular attention to. Remember to use your eye drops as instructed and be sure to protect your eye from contamination. If you avoid rubbing your eye, swimming pools, heavy lifting and strenuous exercise you will find there are really no other restrictions you need to worry about. And remember, if in doubt ask us.

Once treated, you can never have a cataract in that eye again. It is possible, however, for the membrane that supports your new lens to become cloudy and blur your vision. A device called a YAG Laser was designed to treat this problem in a single office visit. The procedure is fast, painless and should quickly restore your vision. And there are no restrictions on your activities after Yag Laser Surgery. Click to go to YAG Laser surgery page.

"Once treated, you can never have a cataract in that eye again."

YAG Laser Treatment

Our team hope we have been able to give you a better idea of how a cataract is treated. We want you to be comfortable with your decision to undergo cataract surgery. But most of all, we want you to know that we will do everything in our power to insure that you have a safe, comfortable and successful cataract operation. Remember, each year over one million people just like you have cataract surgery with excellent results.

No matter what your age, you want to be able to enjoy an active and productive lifestyle. Today, modern surgical techniques, intraocular lens implantation and "same day surgery" make cataract surgery safe, fast and effective. Your improved vision will enhance your normal lifestyle and activities and add years of enjoyment to your life.


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